​There are a lot more men in leadership roles than women, even though women have a number of abilities and characteristics that make them ideal people for the job. Though there are certainly more women in leadership roles than there have been previously, there is still a disproportionately low number of women compared to men. This has been the case for many years, even though women in leadership roles have a number of unique attributes that make them ideal for the job.

Here’s Why We Need More Women in Leadership Roles

• Women Bring a Unique Perspective - If you know anything about innovation, you will know that diverse perspectives and different viewpoints are vital. Regardless of the business type or industry, having a diverse team of decision makers helps to drive a company forward. When women are in leadership roles, they bring a completely unique perspective and this increases the diversity within the team. Women tend to study the smaller details and focus on what’s going on below the surface, things which are invaluable to a business.

• Women are Effective Leaders - According to Business Insider research, women are often viewed as being more capable leaders. Between the ages of 36 and 40, men are thought to be the better and more effective leaders. However, beyond the age of 40 this changes and it’s women who are seen to be the better choice. Between the ages of 40 and 60, women are viewed as being much more capable leaders than their male counterparts.

• Women are More Empathic - It’s important for a leader to be empathic, someone who can understand and share the feelings of another person, and take on board their differing opinions. This is something that women tend to do better than men, and it’s hugely important when leading a team of people. With a great deal of empathy, women are able to relate to their team and understand if they are struggling in any way. Instead of simply trying to solve the issue, empathy drives women to listen to others and look at things from different angles. This ability to see things from other peoples’ points of view helps to make informed decisions.

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• Women are Good at Communicating - In day to day life, women are skilled communicators and they regularly collaborate with others. Women communicate with intimacy and a strong personal connection at work, which transfers well into the way they approach leadership. Whereas men tend to communicate with authority, women communicate on a deeper and more personal level. This is an important ability to have as a leader. It encourages open communication between employers and employees, which keeps everyone on the same page in terms of responsibilities and goals.

• Women are Good at Handling Problems - Regardless of the industry or business type, there are always problems arising in the workplace. To keep a crisis under control, a leader needs to act efficiently and effectively, something which women are very good at doing. A lot of women are used to taking care of others in a domestic environment, which has given them experience of acting calming under pressure. Should an emergency arise, women are able to handle things with patience and compassion.

There has been a big focus on bridging the gender pay gap in recent years and though change is certainly happening, there is still a lack of women in powerful positions. This is something that organisations and companies need to improve upon, especially as organisations with a gender diverse workforce tend to perform better than those dominated by men. As you can see above, women are the ideal candidates for leadership positions.